How much does a baker make?
The median baker in the United States earns $36,650 per year, about $17.62 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all bakers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-3011.
Baker salary range
Pay for bakers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $27,560 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $48,260. The average (mean) wage of $37,670 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,560 | $13.25 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $31,470 | $15.13 | |
| Median (50th) | $36,650 | $17.62 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $42,570 | $20.46 | |
| 90th percentile | $48,260 | $23.20 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for bakers (SOC 51-3011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Baker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Bakers earn the most in Washington at $42,690 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $28,740. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $42,690 | 5,640 |
| New York | $39,890 | 15,810 |
| California | $39,570 | 32,140 |
| Vermont | $39,520 | 480 |
| Colorado | $39,430 | 4,160 |
| District of Columbia | $39,090 | 1,000 |
| Massachusetts | $38,800 | 5,180 |
| North Dakota | $38,700 | 750 |
| Hawaii | $38,690 | 1,400 |
| Minnesota | $38,640 | 2,910 |
| New Hampshire | $38,150 | 760 |
| Arizona | $37,940 | 4,950 |
| Delaware | $37,370 | 220 |
| Nevada | $37,080 | 2,040 |
| Maine | $36,950 | 1,710 |
| Connecticut | $36,880 | 2,810 |
| Oregon | $36,880 | 4,510 |
| South Dakota | $36,850 | 350 |
| Wyoming | $36,810 | 410 |
| Illinois | $36,770 | 10,730 |
| New Jersey | $36,650 | 8,620 |
| Wisconsin | $36,620 | 4,360 |
| Florida | $36,580 | 14,950 |
| Alaska | $36,560 | 540 |
| Iowa | $36,460 | 2,130 |
| Indiana | $36,350 | 3,230 |
| Maryland | $36,220 | 2,620 |
| Idaho | $36,010 | 1,570 |
| Rhode Island | $35,930 | 970 |
| Michigan | $35,730 | 6,970 |
| Montana | $35,720 | 880 |
| Utah | $35,490 | 3,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $34,710 | 10,740 |
| South Carolina | $34,590 | 2,990 |
| North Carolina | $34,430 | 7,540 |
| Kentucky | $34,040 | 2,020 |
| New Mexico | $34,010 | 1,130 |
| Missouri | $33,790 | 3,570 |
| Nebraska | $33,740 | 1,270 |
| Tennessee | $33,280 | 4,290 |
| Kansas | $33,190 | 1,260 |
| Texas | $33,030 | 16,040 |
| Georgia | $33,000 | 7,420 |
| Virginia | $32,970 | 5,670 |
| Alabama | $31,610 | 1,660 |
| Ohio | $31,470 | 9,220 |
| Mississippi | $30,620 | 1,440 |
| Oklahoma | $30,250 | 1,960 |
| Arkansas | $29,340 | 2,270 |
| Louisiana | $28,930 | 1,720 |
| West Virginia | $28,740 | 800 |
State median wages for bakers (SOC 51-3011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for bakers
The BLS projects employment of bakers to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 262,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 276,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 36,500 openings a year for bakers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a baker
The typical entry-level education for bakers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a baker earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $42,690) and the lowest (West Virginia, $28,740) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 231,890 people work as bakers in the United States. At $36,650 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Baker salary FAQ
How much does a baker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a baker is $17.62. The middle half of bakers earn between $15.13 and $20.46 per hour.
What is the highest baker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of bakers earn more than $48,260 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a baker make a year?
The median annual salary for a baker is $36,650. The average (mean) wage of $37,670 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a baker a well paid job?
At $36,650 a year, a baker earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 231,890 people work as bakers in the United States.
Which state pays bakers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for bakers at $42,690 a year. New York ($39,890) and California ($39,570) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a baker a good career?
Employment of bakers is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 36,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a baker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for bakers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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